News & Insights

Why business cybersecurity hygiene must start at home

If you’ve ever forgotten your password to an online account then you’ll know how easy it is to reset. Simply enter your email address and the site will email you a link to reset your password.

So imagine how easy it would be for a would-be hacker to take over your life if they could just get into your email account.

Suddenly they can access everything from your Facebook and LinkedIn profiles to your bank account and, possibly, even your business network. And now the real fun begins. Depending on the cybercriminal’s motivation, they can destroy your reputation, sabotage your business, empty your bank account and even take out loans in your name (which, of course, they have no intention of ever repaying). Reclaiming your identity and clearing your name can be time consuming and frustrating, not to mention potentially expensive.

Most people understand the need for security at work. After all, the IT department is probably pretty good about reminding people to change their passwords regularly, to have strong passwords, to ensure devices are never left lying around, and so forth. With so many of us willing to help protect the businesses we work for, why are we so complacent when it comes to our personal digital security?

Mobile phone password authentication

This is known as two-factor authentication. It’s actually quite easy to stop cybercriminals from accessing your accounts even if they know or can change your password. Two-factor authentication works by combining something you know (like your password) with something you have (like your mobile phone). So if someone tries to change your password online, the site sends a text message to your phone with a unique code. You need to enter that code to complete the password change process.

Most of the sites most people interact with already offer this functionality. You just need to turn it on.

Two-factor authentication doesn’t have to be onerous for you and it adds an extra layer of security that makes it difficult for cybercriminals to hack your accounts. You can set it up so that you only need to use it once on each device, keeping your sign-in processes streamlined without compromising security strength.

This combination of usability and security is so simple but it’s also effective. And yet, many people don’t turn on the two-factor authentication, putting their personal and financial safety at risk.

Overcoming the human factor

Of course, it’s important for businesses to implement security tools and solutions to protect the business. But the biggest potential weakness in a business is the human factor. Companies should talk to employees about their personal digital hygiene because it can directly affect the business.

Ask your employees whether they’ve put two-factor authentication in place for their social media, banking, and personal email accounts. If they haven’t encourage them to do so, since good security habits start at home and carry over into the workplace.

Visit https://www.turnon2fa.com/for links and tips on how to enable two-factor authentication across many popular websites and platforms.

For more information on what Aleron can do to help improve your business’s security, give us a call today.